Prices of raw shrimp have been increasing rapidly in the Mekong Delta since early February when shrimp processors returned to work soon after Tet (Lunar New Year), according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In major shrimp farming provinces such as Kien Giang, Ca Mau and Soc Trang, the price of thirty-pieces-per-kilo (ppk) size black tiger shrimp has risen by 20,000 VND (90 US cents) per kilogramme to 230,000-240,000 VND.

The price of 40 ppk shrimp rose by 10,000 VND to 180,000-190,000 VND.

White-legged shrimp prices have increased by similar levels to 150,000-165,000 VND and 140,000-150,000 VND for 50 and 60 ppk sizes.

The prices are expected to remain high or continue to rise until the peak harvest season three months from now.

Farmers are also preparing to begin a new brackish-water shrimp crop though activities have seen a downturn due to unpredictable weather, wide day-night temperature gaps and unseasonable rains that affect the water and cause possible shrimp disease outbreaks.

But despite all that the output of brackish-water shrimp is expected to be higher than last year.

Nearly 98 percent of the country’s 448,000 hectares of brackish-water shrimp farms is in the delta.